DOME Fire Update

[swjones@lanl.gov (Sherry W. Jones)]

The U.S. Forest Service estimates that 16,600 acres have now been burned as
a result of the Dome wildfire. Approximately nine hundred people are still 
fighting the fire.  On Wednesday evening, Forest Service officials said
they were cautiously optimistic about the efforts to contain the Dome fire,
and that they had already started to release some of the fire-fighting
crews and equipment.  A Forest Service official said the burnouts set to
halt the advance of the fire had good success, and that it was 75 percent
contained with full containment expected on Thursday.  Containment means
the fire crews have established a line around the entirety of the fire.

The Forest Service emphasized that the Dome Fire is by no means controlled.
 Crews will continue to work until they are sure the fire is dead for a
minimum of 150 feet within the surrounding fire line.

Thursday morning could be smoky again at the Lab site and in town, as the
winds are expected to shift again during the night. Fire protection
enhancement activities are still in progress. Facility managers and site
personnel should remain alert for any significant changes in the fire's
status.  Emergency management personnel continue to work closely with fire
fighting officials and will continue to monitor the event until officially
declared over by USFS officials.